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SHACKLETON PIONEER

LOUIS RUDD MBE

CAPTAIN. LEADER. EXPLORER. RECORD-BREAKER. AWARD-WINNER. FATHER.

A true polar titan in modern terms, Louis Rudd MBE is a British record-breaking polar adventurer, expedition leader, former Royal Marine Commando and SAS soldier, with 34 years of service. He is the first - and only - person to have traversed Antarctica twice using human power alone, has reached the South Pole four times from different coastal start points and summited Antarctica’s highest mountain.

He is a member of the Explorers Club, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, an Ambassador for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Director of Expeditions for Shackleton, a Published Author and accomplished Public Speaker.

Image Credit: Joseis Dein

WHERE IS ALL STARTED

"I was born in a blizzard in 1969, February, during a terrible winter in the UK...From there, I think it was destiny."

RECORD-BREAKER

Besides his birth in a snowstorm, Louis cut his teeth in polar terms during The Scott-Amundsen Centenary Race in 2011/12. The expedition commemorated the historic 1911 race to the South Pole with two British Army teams retracing the original routes of Scott and Amundsen. Louis, together with his teammate the late Lt Col Henry Worsley MBE took the Amundsen Route, departing from the Bay of Whales and climbing to the plateau through the Axel Heiberg glacier.

Louis thirst for polar exploration only deepened when he was asked to lead SPEAR17 (South Pole Expedition Army Reserves 2017). Initially it was planned as a 730-mile unsupported ski journey to the South Pole, but following Worsley's death in 2016, the mission was altered to honour his legacy by attempting to complete a 1,100-mile coast-to-coast Antarctic traverse. The six-man team, led by Louis, completed the gruelling journey in 2017, overcoming extreme conditions and pushing physical and mental limits.

In May 2018 Louis self organised and guided a team of five civilian friends on a 570km west-to-east traverse of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Despite a difficult season and hurricane-strength winds, the team completed the crossing in 27 days. They were one of the few teams that season to make it across and Louis conducted a rescue of a stranded team mate from a collapsed tent during a violent piteraq.

The Spirit of Endurance expedition in 2018/19 aimed to honor Shackleton’s vision by completing a 920-mile solo, unsupported crossing of Antarctica, a feat requiring extreme resilience and determination. Louis, carrying 145kg of supplies and enduring temperatures of -30°C, successfully achieved this monumental challenge over 56 days, drawing on polar expertise and inspiration from past explorers and friends including Worsley. He was the first Briton and second globally to achieve the feat. Post-expedition, he led a five-month schools program for the Army. He received the 2019 Scientific Exploration Society ‘Explorer of the Year’ award.

THE EPITOME OF TRUE COURAGE

"To me, mental strength or courage is what stands out...Seeing people pick themselves up and keep going after setbacks - that, to me, is the epitome of true courage."

TAKING IT FURTHER

With thousands of polar miles under his belt and a career carved by resilience and grit, Louis finds profound gratification in guiding others through extreme conditions, often balancing physical endurance with the psychological demands of leadership.

From guiding the disabled person to trek from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole and climb Mount Vinson, unsupported and unassisted, to leading Shackleton clients through their own transformational journeys on Shackleton Challenges, Louis' work reflects his lifelong commitment to exploration both geographical and introspective. Driven by challenge, for Louis, each journey is not only a test of endurance but also a celebration of personal growth, teamwork and inner strength.

READ THE INTERVIEW

LOUIS' KIT BAG

Challenger Expedition Pulk Jacket Men

Le 24,668,000.00

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CHALLENGER EXPEDITION PULK JACKET

WHY I TAKE IT

"I've been working with the Shackleton product team for years to test and refine the CHALLENGER Expedition Pulk Jacket and I'm really confident that this final product is absolutely the best polar clothing in the world. Perfectly placed pockets to avoid the pulk harness, accessible pit zips to dump heat and a super secure hood to create a micro-climate around my face, if you're on a polar expedition this is the shell jacket you need."

Challenger Expedition Salopettes Men

Le 21,912,000.00

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CHALLENGER EXPEDITION SALOPETTES

WHY I TAKE IT

"The best polar salopettes in the game, perfected over countless expedition polar miles. The down inserts at the thigh help protect from polar thigh, the pockets are ideally placed and the usefulness of the drop seat goes without saying!"

Rothera Hooded Down Jacket

Le 13,643,000.00

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ROTHERA DOWN JACKET

WHY I TAKE IT

"The perfect layer to throw on whilst at the crag, after a mountain bike ride, or smart enough to wear to meetings in the city. I love the Rothera, it's smart, warm and superbly comfortable."

Lister Merino Long Sleeve T-shirt Men

Le 3,032,000.00

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LISTER MERINO LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT

WHY I TAKE IT

"I wear this for all my training and expeditions from working out at home, to in the deserts of Oman on the Arabian Desert Skills Challenge. The merino tencel blend fabric wicks away moisture quickly and feels super soft, light and breathable."

Hero Sweater - British Made

Le 7,029,000.00

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HERO SWEATER

WHY I TAKE IT

"When I want to scrub up smart and honour the boss it's always the Hero Sweater I reach for. It's really soft and warm, I love the basket weave over the chest and shoulders and the roll-neck secures extra warmth in the winter."